Floating wall construction



March 91 B. w. DALToN FLCATING WALL CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 1940 mlln..

Patented Mar. 9, 1943 UNITED STATE-s PATENT OFFICE FLOATIN G WALL` CONSTRUCTION Byron W. Dalton, Chicago, Ill. Application September 14, 1940, Serial No. 356,742

( Cl. 'i2-118) 14 Claims.

The floating wall of the present invention is designed to alord the inner or finishing wall for a structure of such character as to be subjected to shocks or vibrations which under ordinary circumstances .would tend to impart such vibrations to the inner wall, causing cracks or ilssures to devolop which would tend not only to mar the appearance of the surface but to cause eventual disintegration.

The problem of protecting such inner walls has long engrossed the attention of construction engineers, and this is especially troublesome in underground structures such a subways and tunnels, Which also present the additional problem of protecting the inside wall and ceiling surfaces from moisture both from seepage and condensation.

The object of the present invention is to overcome such problems by separating the inside walls and ceiling from the outer walls and floor and supporting the inner walls upon resilient hangers fastened to the outer walls and ceiling of the structure, which arrangement provides a resilient support for the entire inner wall and maintains the same out of direct contact with the surrounding wall, ceiling and floor surfaces, so that shocks or jars will be absorbed and the inner wall will be relieved from stresses due to vibration, as well as expansion due to thermal changes o r other factors involved in the building of the wall structure. Furthermore, `by hanging the inner walls in the manner presently tobe described and suspending them above the floor, the inner walls will be permitted to expand and contract independently of the outer walls, and by spacing the inner and outer wallsv moisture can be readily drained and an air circulation maintained which will assist in the preservation of the wall structure. IAt the same time the separation of the walls will afford space for pipes, conduits, or other fittings. f

Further objects and details of the invention will appear from the detailed description thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein, Y

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wall structure embodying the features of the present invention, the lower portion of the wall being built up in situ, and the upper portion being constructed of preformed slabs of concrete or similar plastic material; y

Fig. 2 is an 'enlarged sectional elevation of yone of the resilient hangers showing its relation to the associated wall structure;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the hanger and wall structure, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is aperspective View of one of the hangers with the associated hanger strip;

Fig. 5 is a detail showing the method of forming the hanger strips; and

Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9 are4 detail views showing modified forms'of hangers.

The inner wall of the present invention is secured to an outer wall IIJ, which may be the wall of a tunnel, subway, or other underground structure, although the invention is equally applicable to structures generally. Furthermore, although the wall as shown is a vertically standing wall, the same construction isv equally applicable to ceilings or the like, and it will be understood that such terms as vertical and horizontal are used merely for purposes of convenient description rather than limitation, and that the following description has equal application to an inner ceiling wall in which the vertical and horizontal relation of the constituent parts is reversed.

The outer wall is provided with resilient hangers II arranged, as shown, in vertical rows, the spacing in the alternate rows being staggered to afford numerous points of attachment for the floating inner wall. Each of the hangers is made .of resilient rust resisting metal and formed to a bolt member I6 of an expansion bolt I 1 flttedk into the masonry of the outer wall, the hanger being held in place by a nut I8.

Each vertical row of hangers affords a point of attachment for a hanger strip I9 of angle formation, provided with a reinforcing flange 28 and an attaching flange 2I, which latterl is provided witha row of spaced tapered tongues 22, giving to the hanger strip, when first formed, a rack-like formation. The hanger strips are preferably made of a heavy gauge of sheet metal,

' and n use are arranged to afford what may be termed impaling tongues 22a and .backing or stop tongues 22h. The stop tongues are bent -laterally to alford backing surfaces for contact with a paper backed metal lath 23 or similar mesh, While the impaling tongues 22a are 'for the metal lath, each hanger strip being secured to all of the hangers in the same vertical row.

The paper backed metal lath aords a foundation for an inner coating of plasteror concrete of the desired thickness, the outer surface of which is roughened to aord the key forl a second coating 2B of plaster or the like. Before applying the second coating, a reinforcing mesh 21 is laid against the rough surface of the ilrst coating and is anchored thereto by the prongs I3 of the hangers, which protrude through the reinforcing mesh and have their ends entered through slotted washers 28 and bent laterally to afford a firm connection for the reinforcing mesh. The outer coating is then applied to the mesh and surfaced to afford the proper surface for the finish, which may be cement, glass,- tile, metal, composition, etc.

For purposes of convenient illustration, Figure l shows an inner wall, the lower course of which is formed in the maner previously described, and issuspended from the outer wall so as to afford a space or gap between the lower edge of the inner wall and the floor 29, which space may be grooved to afford a channel or gutter 30 for the discharge of water of condensation or seepage. Although the entire inner wall may be formed in the manner described, I have illustrated a wall in which the upper course is preformed of concrete slabs 3| which along their lower edges are offset to afford a flange 32 which overlaps the upper edge of the lower wall course. The preformed slabs are suspended by hangers 33 each of which, as shown, is provided with two anchoring prongs 34 bent in-opposite directions and embedded in the slab. The protruding end of the hanger terminates in a bifurcated head 35 which straddles the shank of a headed bolt 36 entered into the outer wall, the bolts being arranged in vertical columns and in staggered relation to afford numerous points of support for the wall slabs.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified form of hanger in which, in lieu of the spaced prongs I3, I have employed a handle bar 31 provided with a slot 38 which is adapted to receive a wedge 39 bearing against a washer 28 for holding the reinforcing mesh firmly against the outer surface of thev inner coating 25. In other respects the construction isthe same as that heretofore described.

In Fig. '1 I have shown a further modification of the hanger, which in this instancek omits the attaching handle` portion and is provided on the inner leg of the U-shaped clip with an aperture V40 adapted to afford a point of connection for a furring iron 4I, to which metal laths or the like may be attached.

Fig.4 8 illustrates a modification in which the hanger 42 is of inverted U-shape and bifurcated at its outer end 43 to straddle the shank of an expansion bolt 44. The inner end of the hanger has secured thereto a furring iron 4I or other member to which metal lath may be secured.

Fig. 9 illustrates another modification in which the outer end 45 of the U-shaped hanger 46 is or button 41 of cement, which is bonded to the backing wall by neat cement or similar bond. The inner end of the hanger 45 may be extended to afford prongs I3 of the character' first described or omitted as in Fig. 'I to provide for the attachment of a furring iron.

In the case of the wall construction first dcscribed, the formation of the hangers is one which affords a considerable degree of resiliency in the support provided for the inner wall, and the apertures I5, being centrally disposed through the longer leg of the hanger, will cause it to hang verticallyunder the weight of the load, whine the use of expansion bolts or' the nite wm afford a firm and rigid connection with the outer wall. It will be understood, however, that other means of attachment may be employed, and that the use of the present construction is not limited to outer walls of cement or other masonry, since the hangers may be secured to joists or timbers or other structural elements of a wooden wall or like structure.

The construction, moreover, is furnishes an effective sound insulation, as well as thermal insulation, and at the same time permits a smooth and attractively finished inner wall to be supported upon a rough or uneven outer wall, since the hangers can be inserted ingeven rows and compensation made for inequalities in the surface of the outer Wall. The arrangement,

furthermore, is one which permits air circulation to be maintained between the walls, and thus aiiords means for the eduction of foul odors or the like and for the admission of an adequate supply of fresh air.

The invention is one which permits of various modifications in detail, although the construction first shown and described is one which permits split or bifurcated and embedded within a boss the attaching devices to be easily and conveniently applied and the inner mesh and outer reinforcing mesh to be readily and firmly secured in place without the useof other means of attachment.

I claim:

1. In combination with a backing wail or other structural element, a row of resilient hangers each having a head of U-shaped formation, the outer leg of the head being secured to the backing wall, a hanger strip secured to the row of hangers and provided along its edge with tongues, certain of the tongues being bent laterally to afford a backing support, a mesh fitted to the hangers at a distance outwardly from the backing wall and bearing against the laterally projecting basking tongues and having the intervening tongues projecting through the mesh and bent to overlap the outer surface of the mesh, and a plastic coating applied to the mesh to afford a separated inner wall structure.

2. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element, a row of resilient hangers each having a head of U-shaped formation, the

- outer leg' of the head being secured to the backing Wall and having an attaching member pro- Jecting inwardly from the inner leg, a hanger strip secured to the row of hangers and provided' applied to the mesh, a reinforcing mesh applied one which to the face of the inner plastic coating and having the attaching members of the hangers entered through the mesh and secured to hold the mesh in position, and an outer plastic coating applied to the reinforcing mesh to aiiord a separated inner wall structure.

3. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element, a row of resilient hangers each having a head of U-shaped formation, the outer legs of the heads being s ecured to the backing wall, an attaching strip having an angleshaped body portion secured to the sidesl of the row of hangers and having inwardly projecting tongues, certain of the tongues being bent laterally to afford' backing stops, a mesh applied against said backing stop tongues at a distance outwardly from the backing walland having the intervening tongues entered through the mesh and bent laterally to secure the same in positionr and a plastic coating applied to the mesh to aiord a separated inner Wall structure.

4. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element, a row of resilient hangers each having a head of U-shaped formation, the outer legs of the heads being secured to the backing wall and the inner legs being provided with inwardly projecting attaching members. an attaching strip having an angle-shaped body portion secured to the sides of the row of hangers and having inwardly projecting tongues, certain of the tongues being bent laterally to afford backing stops, a mesh applied against said backing stop tongues at a distance outwardly from'the backing wall and having the intervening tongues entered through the mesh and bent laterally to secure the same in position, an inner plastic coating applied to the mesh, a reinforcing mesh applied to the face of the inner plastic coating and having the attaching members of the hangers entered through the mesh and bent laterally to hold the same in position, and an outer plastic coating applied to the reinforced mesh to afford a separated inner wall structure.

5. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element, a row of resilient hangers each having a head of U-shaped formation, the outer leg of the head being secured to the backing wall, a hanger strip secured to the row of hangers' and provided along its edge with tongues, certain of the tongues being bent laterally to aiord a backing support, a mesh iltted to the hangers and bearing against the laterally projecting backing tongues and having the intervening tongues projecting through the mesh and bent to overlap the outer surface of the mesh, a plastic coating.

appliedto the mesh to aord a suspended inner wall structure, and a floor or base for the backing wall, the inner suspended Wall structure terminating above the iioor or base to afford a gap therebetween.

6. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element, a row of resilient hangers each having a head of U-shaped formation, the outer leg of the head being secured to the backing wall and having an attaching member projecting inwardly from the inner leg, a hanger strip secured to the row of hangers and provided along its edge with tongues, certain lof the tongues being bent laterally to afford a backing support, almesh fitted to the hangers and bearing against the laterally projecting backing tongues and having the intervening tongues projecting through the mesh and bentI to overlap the outer surface of the mesh, an inner plastic and having the attaching members of the hangers entered through the mesh and secured to' hold the mesh in position, an outer plastic coating applied to the reinforcing mesh to afford a suspended inner wall structure, and a floor or base for the backing Wall, the inner suspended wall structure terminating above the iioor or base to afford a gap therebetween.

7. In combination with a backing wall or othe structural element, a row of resilient hangers each..having a head of U-shaped formation, the outer legs of the heads being secured to the backing wall, an attaching strip having an angleshaped body portion secured to the sides of the row of hangers and having inwardly projecting tongues, certain of lthe tongues being bent laterally to afford backing stops, a mesh applied against said backing stop tongues and having the intervening tongues entered through the mesh and bent laterally to secure the same in position, a plastic coating applied to the mesh to aiiord a suspended inner wall structure, and a floor or base for the backing wall, the inner suspended wall structure terminating above the floor or base to afford a gap therebetween.

8. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element, a row of resilient hangers each having a, head of U-shaped formation, the outer llegs of the heads being secured to the backing wall and the inner legs being provided with inwardly projecting attaching members, an attaching strip having anangle-shaped body portion secured to the sides of the row of hangers and `having inwardly projecting tongues, certain of the tongues being bent laterally to aiord backing stops, a mesh applied against said backing stop tongues and having the intervening tongues entered through the mesh and bent laterally to secure the same in position, an inner plastic coating applied to the mesh, a reinforcing mesh applied to the face of the inner plastic coating and having lthe attaching members of the hangers entered through the mesh and bent laterally to hold the same in position, an outer plastic coating applied to the reinforced mesh to afford a suspended inner wall structure, and a floor or base for the backing wall, the inner suscoating applied to the mesh, a reinforcing mesh pended wall structure terminating above the floor or base to aiord a gap therebetween.

9. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element, a row of U-sl'iaped resilient hangers each having its outer leg secured to the backing wall, a strip secured to the row of hangers, a mesh secured to the strip at a distance outwardly from the backing Wall, and a plastic coating applied to the mesh, a second mesh applied to the face of the plastic coating and secured to the hangers, and a second plastic coating applied to the second mesh to aiford a separated inner wall structure.

10. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element and a floor at the base of the backing wall, a row of U-shaped resilient hangers each having its outer leg secured to the backing wall, a strip secured to the row of hangers, a mesh secured to the strip, a plastic coating applied to the mesh, a second mesh ap- ,plied to the face of the plastic coating and secured to the hangers, and a second plastic coating applied to the mesh to aiord a suspended inner wall structure terminating above the floor having an outer leg secured to the backing wall, a strip secured to the row of hangers, a mesh secured to the strip at a.` distance outwardly from the backing wall, and a plastic coating applied to the mesh, a second mesh applied to the face of the plastic coating and secured to the hangers, and a second plastic coating applied to the second mesh to alford a separated inner wall structure.

I 12. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element and a oor at the base of the backing wall, a row of hangers each having an outer leg secured to the backing wall, a strip secured to the row of hangers, ay mesh secured to the strip at a distance outwardly from the backing wall, a plastic coating applied to the mesh,

.a second mesh applied to the face of the plastic coating and secured to the hangers,` and a second plastic coating applied to the mesh to afford a suspended inner wall structure terminating above the floor level and out of contact therewith. c

13. In combination with a backing wall or other structural element, a row of hangers secured to the backing wall, a hanger strip secured to the row of hangers and provided along lits edge with tongues, certain of the tongues being bent laterally to' afford a backing support,

secured tothe row of hangers and provided along its edge with tongues, certain of the tongues being bent laterally to atl'ord a backing support, y

a mesh fitted to the hangers at a distance outwardly from the backing wall and bearing against the lateralhr projecting backing tongues and having the'intervening tongues projecting through the mesh and bent tooverlap the outer surface of the mesh, an inner plastic coating applied to the mesh, a reinforcing mesh applied to the face of the inner plastic coating and having the attaching members of the hangers entered through the mesh and secured to hold the mesh in position, and an outer plastic coating applied to the reinforcing mesh to aiord a separated inner wall structure.

BYRON W. DALTON. 

